We have a vacation coming up to visit family and have an issue with the rental car. We do not have a major credit card. There are a few companies who will still rent to us (Alamo). However, they make you pay for the car plus $300. I have never rented a car so was shocked by this. This just dips into our spending money, which is a bit tight as it is. Any suggestions?????

Thx!
Heather

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HeatherMama to TWO lovely children
4 year old boy
2 year old girl

This may be impossible, but do you have a friend or family member that would all you to use their card and let you give them the cash? It's worth a try to save $300.

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Wow! I am suprised that any place will let you rent without a credit card. Sorry, I have no advice to you!!

Is the $300 refundable when you return the car??

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~Happiness is a large family~

Can you apply for a card with a reasonable limit, and then just dont use it again after the car rental? What about a bank card? I belive you can use them to rent cards as long as they are visa or mastercard.

We had to do the same thing last year (since we don't have a major credit card anymore)- not only we had to do the deposit BUT you also had to show proof that you are current with one of your utility bills and have full coverage insurance on one of your vehicles (which you can make one of your vehicles full coverage and drop it as soon as you return the rental car).

Anyways- it kind of covers not only you but them as well so there really is not a way of getting around it. But the nice thing is that the do refund the deposit after you return the vehicle in good condition (no accident and etc.).

The only things I can think of besides asking someone to cover the rental car on their credit card is for you to do a few things to try to recoup an extra $300. Cut back on your groceries, a few meatless dinners a week, pay with cash and save the change, sell unwanted items on craigslist, pack lunches for the trip instead of going the fast food route, sell clothing to a consingment store, etc. It may be hard on an already tight budget but it can happen- good luck!

HTH!